What's in a Prague street name

Originally published on X on 27 March 2024.

While ‘rybná’ is an adjective relating to ‘ryba’, i.e. fish, this area was, around 1200, a popular place for butchers, which led to the street being called ‘Za masnými krámy’ (Behind the Butcher Shops) until the 18th century.

In the 18th century, the name changed to ‘Za svatým Jakubem’ for reasons which I’ll be going into more detail on tomorrow.

However, in the same century, fishmongers started to operate around here, after laws stating that fish could only be sold on Old Town Square, and later also on Charles Square, were abolished.

The name Rybná has been used since 1870.

The most distinctive building on Rybná is probably the modern Burzovní palác, the Stock Exchange Palace, which, yes, hosts the Czech Stock Exchange.

I was going to say this has been a slightly short/dull one, but Staroměstské náměstí is up on day 190 and I’ll probably be there taking pics over Easter and wondering if I can have a few more dull ones.